For some young New Orleans residents, guaranteed basic income helped them afford a ride to work. For others, the money helped cover school supplies and uniforms. The program intended to fill gaps in the social safety net which includes programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and rental vouchers and alleviate financial stress for people between the ages of 16 and All participants were considered " opportunity youth " โ not enrolled in work or school โ at the start of the pilot.
Researchers released the program's final results on September 3. Per the report, guaranteed basic income helped some participants secure full-time employment and pursue educational opportunities. Over similar guaranteed basic income programs have been launched across America, offering participants recurring cash payments for a set period of time.
The cash payment model has been tried in cities like Los Angeles , Birmingham, Chicago , and Denver to combat local poverty and increase access to food and housing. Still, New Orleans participants said their benefits from guaranteed income were temporary. After the pilot ended, some young people said they still struggled to afford groceries and pay bills. About one in six young people in Louisiana are not working or in school โ and Black youth make up about half of the state's " opportunity youth " population โ according to the New Orleans report.
Additionally, lower educational attainment and work experience are risk factors for future poverty. The final New Orleans GBI results are based on interviews and surveys with participants about their experience, as well as quantitative spending data.
Participants were surveyed at the beginning of the pilot, the halfway point, the end of the pilot, and five months after their payments ended. The pilot had no control group. Some pilot participants said they weren't previously able to maintain jobs or school attendance due to caregiving responsibilities at home. But, with GBI, many participants said they were able to provide financial support to their grandparents, parents, or siblings.
